CPK to broaden non-pizza offerings

CEO Fred Hipp said during a June 4 conference call that the company wants to explore some varied and more expensive non-pizza entrees in light of its successful test of a $13.99 jambalaya dish last year.

Only one-third of the 130-store chain's sales come from pizza.

Hipp added that CPK is upgrading its wine and drink menu with the goal of boosting premium beverage sales above the current mark of 5.5 percent of gross sales.

In other CPK news, Restaurant Business reported on June 10 that the pizza chain won't open any new CPK Express airport locations until at least 2004. The company hasn't opened an airport outlet in nearly two years.

A representative of HMSHost, which operates 21 CPK airport locations, said it would like to open other CPK airport terminal outlets, but that airports aren't requesting them.